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From Sydney to Dubai: Global fireworks party welcomes in 2014
From Sydney to Dubai: Global fireworks party welcomes in 2014 (Agencies) / 1 January 2014 The world welcomed in 2014 with spectacular firework displays as a wave of pyrotechnic extravaganzas swept around the globe to celebrate the New Year. Record fireworks at Palm Jumeirah on New Year. – AFP With fireworks, dancing and late-night revelry, millions around the world welcomed 2014 on Tuesday, gathering for huge displays of jubilation and unity as the new year arrived. Europe joined in the party with a giant salvo in London, after Dubai attempted to break the work record for the biggest-ever fireworks show and Sydney got the ball rolling ahead of Asia with a dazzling display. Dubai glamour and over-the-top achievements like the world’s tallest skyscraper, sought to break another record by creating the largest fireworks show. In Ukraine, anti-government protesters hoped to set their own record for the most people to sing a national anthem at the same time. Crowds heading to New York City’s Times Square could expect the traditional ball drop but no mayor this year. The new year was to be rung in by US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor instead. Revelers wait in New York’s Times Square to celebrate the New Year on December 31, 2013 in New York City. – AFP In Dubai, the Middle East hub was hoping to break the Guinness World Record by setting off more than 400,000 fireworks. The glittering display lasted around six minutes and spanned 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the coast, focusing on the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower at 830 metres high. People crowded in the streets below took pictures as the thundering display filled the skies. “It’s amazing,” said May Hinnawi, a 35-year-old Syrian. “I will tell my children and grand children I was here to see this event.” Kuwait set the record in 2011 with an hour-long blast of 77,282 fireworks. Pro-European integration supporters take part in New Year celebrations in Independence Square in central Kiev on December 31, 2013. – Reuters On Kiev’s main square, at least 100,000 Ukrainians sang their national anthem in a sign of support for integration with Europe. The square has been the scene of massive pro-European protests for more than a month, triggered by President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to ditch a key deal with the European Union. Britain planned to welcome 2014 with a mixture of futuristic fireworks and torch-lit tradition. For people in London, the New Year offered the opportunity to taste the fireworks. Fireworks light the sky above the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament over the river Thames during the New Year celebrations in central London just after midnight on January 1, 2014. AFP The city’s mayor — in conjunction with telecommunications company Vodafone — said this year’s explosive display would come packed with peach-flavored snow, edible banana confetti and orange-scented bubbles, allowing people to feast with more than just their eyes. The multisensory display will also include scratch-and-sniff programs, LED wristbands and fruit-flavoured sweets. Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour at midnight, ushering in the new year, in Sydney on January 1, 2014. – Reuters In Sydney, Australia, fireworks organisers expected to set off 7 metric tons (7.7 US tons) of pyrotechnics in 12 seconds in a display that sprayed from the sails of the Sydney Opera House and the city’s harbor bridge. “It filled up the whole sky,” said Mona Rucek, a 28-year-old tourist from Munich, Germany. Closer to the International Dateline, New Zealand concluded 2013 with its own fireworks that erupted from Auckland’s Sky Tower while cheering crowds danced in the streets of the South Pacific island nation’s largest city. People release balloons to celebrate the New Year during the annual countdown ceremony by the Prince Park Tower Tokyo on January 1, 2014. AFP In Tokyo, five priests at the Zojoji temple used ropes to swing a wooden pole against a large bell, sounding the first of 108 gongs to mark the new year. Simultaneously, “2014” lit up in white lights on the modern Tokyo Tower in the background. Juji Muto said he was curious to hear how the bell sounded. The 75-year-old retiree said he wishes every year for good health. Visitors take pictures and videos during a light show as part of a New Year countdown celebration as part of a New Year countdown celebration on the Bund in Shanghai on January 1, 2014. Reuters China planned light shows at part of the Great Wall near Beijing and at the Bund waterfront in Shanghai. The city of Wuhan in central Hubei province called off its fireworks show and banned fireworks downtown to avoid worsening its smog. Pope Francis leaves after visiting the traditional Crib in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on December 31, 2013. – Reuters Pope Francis used his year-end prayer service of thanksgiving to urge people to ask themselves: Did they spend 2013 to further their own interests or to help others? The pontiff asked people to reflect if they used the past year to make the places where they live more livable and welcoming. Citing Rome as an example, Francis said the city is full of tourists, but also refugees. Fireworks light up the sky as Filipinos welcome the New Year on Jan. 1, 2014 in Manila, Philippines. AP Six killed and more than 260 people had been injured by firecracker blasts and celebratory gunfire in the Philippines, a nation marking the end of a year of tragic disasters, including a Nov. 8 typhoon that left more than 6,100 dead and nearly 1,800 missing. “Many here are welcoming the new year after losing their mothers, fathers, siblings and children so you can imagine how it feels,” said village chief Maria Rosario Bactol of Anibong community in Tacloban, the city worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan. “I tell them to face the reality, to move on and stand up, but I know it will never be easy.” In New York City, outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who hobnobbed with celebrities during past Times Square celebrations, was sitting out this year’s festivities to spend time with family and friends. Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio will be sworn in at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday at his Brooklyn home. Sotomayor, a New York City native, will lead the final 60-second countdown and push the ceremonial button to drop the ball. Continue reading
RAK Airways suspends services
RAK Airways suspends services Abdul Basit / 1 January 2014 Airline is looking at new options to start operations again with big plans. RAK Airways has suspended operations for its restructuring process, and will be in the air again in a better way, according to the airline’s director of communications. “The airline suspended operations for re-growth and restructuring. We need to move forward and will use this time to re-evaluate and also see what are the best options for RAK Airways’ future,” Elizabeth Percy told Khaleej Times over the phone. “There are options for new investors and we are just looking at new options to start operations again with big plans,” she emphasised. The airline is likely to make another announcement next month regarding the future road-map, aviation sources said. Earlier in the day, the airline announced the suspension of all operations, until further notice, from January 1 (Wednesday). None of the passengers will be affected with the decision, as the airline did not book any flight for 2014, Percy said. On Tuesday the airline operated its last two flights — Doha and Peshawar — before suspending operations. “The decision for suspending operations was taken following increased pressures on the carrier’s performance due to continuous market conditions, increased operating costs and the impact of the regional political instability on the overall aviation industry,” the airline said in a statement. RAK Airways, which re-launched in 2010 with a new livery and under new management, was operating flights from RAK International Airport to Doha, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, Jeddah, Riyadh, Calicut and Kathmandu. ‘‘The board of directors took the decision today to suspend the operations until further notice. We believe this decision is in the best interest of the airline and its shareholders. We will take this time to re-evaluate the best options available for RAK Airways’ future as well as those that fit the industry requirements of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah,” the statement said. Percy, who is also director of corporate communications for the RAK Department of Civil Aviation and RAK Airport, said that the airport operations will continue as usual for cargo, charter and other services. Responding to a question, she said that the affected employees of the airline would be compensated under the UAE Labour Law. In October, 2013 RAK Airways celebrated its third anniversary. — abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
On a cultural trail at Global Village’s Yemeni pavilion
On a cultural trail at Global Village’s Yemeni pavilion Staff Report / 1 January 2014 The Yemeni pavilion is turning into a main attraction for all those wanting to experience tradition and hospitality. It’s a honey trap at the Yemeni pavilion at Global Village which also abounds in spices, dried fruits and nuts. Visitors can find fantastic deals for the wonderful treats that are sold in this pavilion. The smells that arise from the barrels filled with spices, honey, dried fruits and nuts, simply makes the Yemeni Pavilion a fantastic cultural experience. The Yemeni pavilion has always been one of the most popular at the Global Village, and this year it is turning into a main attraction for all those wanting to experience tradition and hospitality. The knowledge the vendors possess makes for an educational and entertaining visit. A culture trip The culture of Yemen is rich and diverse. It is a country that holds dear to the values of their forefathers which is why visitors will see the pavilion stall owners sporting the traditional Yemeni Jambiya, a curved knife. The beautiful curved knives, and their bejewelled scabbards are just one of the many culturally significant items on sale at Global Village, as the pavilion also has a wide selection of Yemen’s national dress. The Yemeni Pavilion has, year on year, become renowned for the high quality of its honey. Visitors who talk with the knowledgeable vendors will find out that the honey being sold is remarkably good. The quality, taste, and colour of the honey can all change depending on the weather, time of year, and the type of flower that has been used by bees to make the honey. Some of the honey has nuts and seeds added to it for additional nutritional benefits, others have honeycomb in it to add a different texture. Spice up your life Heading over to the spice shops of this pavilion will bring you face to face with a uniquely sculpted Burj Khalifa, made entirely of spices. While sampling the fantastic honey around the Yemeni pavilion, visitors will notice their sense of smell tingling as aromas from the spice bins waft around the pavilion. Stocking up the pantry with some high quality spices and herbs is the best reason to visit the Yemeni pavilion. Amateur chefs will love the dried onion, fennel, cumin, and even frankincense, among many more high quality products. Vendors can also help visitors find out which of the all-natural oils — there are over 80 to choose from — is the best for them. The oils can be good for a number of ailments affecting the hair and skin, or the digestive system. Antique jewellery The Yemeni pavilion also has a large pieces of jewellery decorated with precious stones and pearls. The vendors prove themselves to be fonts of knowledge and offering in-depth information on the antique rings and bejeweled necklaces. Many of the rings and necklaces have Yemeni produced Agate stones and Onyx set into them, with the beautiful colours of these natural Yemeni-found stones standing out against the copper and silver pieces. Experience one of the oldest cultures in the world and sample a traditional way of life through the exquisite art of honey making, spice selling and, fabulous pieces of jewelry made out of natural materials. news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
